Blogs » Nikita Alamango

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June 6 revisited

Two months have gone by since the European Parliament elections last June. In my blog today I will give by tuppence worth on how both political parties reacted to this result and the ripple effects that have changed our political landscape today.

Joseph Muscat, the new face of Maltese politics

You may argue that Joseph Muscat has been in politics for the last 15 years or so, but producing programmes with political content is one thing and being and MEP and then a party leader is another. And unless you are really politically biased (I can think of a few people who fall under this category) you just can't deny that Muscat played a fundamental role in Labour's victory. But what was the value added that Muscat gave the PL? Easy, about 7% of the electorate (while maintaining the 48% of 2004). For while the PN continued hovering at around the 40% mark, AD had a spectacular debacle losing, surprise surprise, 7% of its percentage in 2004.

So while AD got the result it usually gets in general elections, give or take a percentage point, that 7% of the electorate, which I suspect, usually vote Nationalist found themselves inclined to vote Labour this time round. And there is one reason why they did this, this time and not in '04. The reason may well be Joseph Muscat. In Muscat, pale blue Nationalist voters and floating voters do not only find a Labour leader they feel comfortable voting for but I also believe they see him as a break from Labour's past leaders, someone different, someone you can trust.

Yes, you may argue that next time round these voters will once again vote for the PN. But I also think that the reason why AD always gets a limited amount of votes in general elections is that people don't really believe that they can ever garner enough votes to elect a member of parliament, which can lead voters to feel as if they would be wasting their vote on AD. With Labour it is a completely different scenario and I suspect that pale blue Nationalist voters could keep this in mind when going out to vote in 2013.

Labour and the EU

Another myth that has been broken is that one shouldn't vote for the PL because it campaigned against EU membership in 2003 and so on and so forth, you know the story. A lot of water has gone under a bridge since 2003 but throughout the campaign, the PN never seemed to realise that it was flogging a dead horse by trying to convince people that Labour wasn't a good choice due to the events of 6 years ago. I mean, hadn't they used the same argument in 2004 and failed spectacularly? But I guess you end up resorting to any old issue if you are short of ideas...

The work done by the Labour MEPs in 2004-09 legislature was not only positive for what our country gained but also because everyone got to see how both our political parties can work together towards one common goal; obtaining the best for Malta.

The grass isn't greener on the other side

No one would have liked to be in Prime Minister Gonzi's shoes on June 7 as he smiled and claimed that he was 'in office and in power'. As he faced the biggest electoral defeat in donkey's years, the PM tried to seem in relaxed and in control as he spoke to the press. I don't think anyone was fooled.

The PN face an uphill struggle in an attempt to convince the electorate that they are still the ones to choose. Not only do they face a bleak economic situation, they will find it impossible next time round to blame the Labour for their mishaps. The usual suspects will of course set off on their crusades of demonisation but unless there is substance in their arguments I don't think the people will buy it again. I get this feeling that the grass isn't so green on the other side.

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Comments

Kate Vella (on 21/8/09)
Tistghu bibqghu sejrin hekk ghax hadd minnkom ma hu se jikkonvinci lill iehor li hu qed jghid it tajjeb u li il-partit tieghu l-ahjar. Ahjar kollha tmorru hdejn il-pool
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 21/8/09)
@ Martinelli … Your continuous failure to respond to simple questions seems to be wll engraved in your poor self. Your insistence in evading direct questions is now also annoying you.

Eco Gozo as per PN . … bla bla bla and nothing ever concrete! It is just a crude joke by the PN on us Gozitans to pull our legs!! The Eco Gozo we presently live in is very similar to the war zones of the Biafran Ethnic War.

The present state of Gozo is beyond your comprehension and your misinformation is getting much more pitiful then ever.

J Martinelli (on 20/8/09)
@ GiovDeMartino

Let them drown their sorrows with Lager!

Jo prefers champagne.

I hope they wear life jackets in case they fall into the pool.

Are these two, hard done by the Nationalist government?
Jo Said (on 20/8/09)
Mela le, Charles. Xampanja u Pims ingibohom jien.

Pero', dejjem nibqaw jinpurtana, u naqbzu ghal-dawk li jbaghtu taht dan il-gvern ta mninoranza - 40% biss l-ahhar li kellhom, hux?. Ghax ahna parti mis-60% u mhux 'i'm alright u flip you Jack' bhal xi whud.
GiovDeMartino (on 20/8/09)
Min ilegleg il-lager hdejn il-pool u poplu mejjet bil-guh!
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 20/8/09)
@ Jo Said.

Nothing new, dan ir-ragel dejjem hu ghandu ragun,you should join us by the pool,no irritable small people here.
Jo Said (on 19/8/09)
And the latest is ''the MOB''. This was volleyed the direction of NGO's and all those who protested the Bahrija scandalous permit. Gonzipn preferred not to remind us how many a time they (and I, and others in here, for that matter) protested in a similar and more vociferous fashion in the Eighties.
J Martinelli (on 19/8/09)
@ Jo Said

Thank you for your version of history regarding the gonziPN. The GonziPN was a slogan- a trademark, if you wish for a specific event which the election campaign was one such.

The only reason why the LP keeps on using gonziPN is that it has the notion that by attacking the leader, it will harm the party's chances of re-election. They have been proven wrong in the past, but they are not fast learners - so be it!

The Nationalists refer to Laburisti as Mintoffjani for the simple reason that even after 28 years of his absence ( during which time he was relegated to the role of 'traditur' from his lofty role as 'salvatur' and even banished from the party), the Mintoffian elements not only remain but Joseph, in his attempt to shore up a badly divided party, invited back all kinds of remnants cast aside from the evil era. There are moderates within the Labour Party who I suspect are none too thrilled with Joseph's idea of a 'new' Labour Party.

It is quite obvious that there is nothing new about Labour especially when the leader has so many old actors pulling his strings.

J Martinelli (on 19/8/09)
@ Joseph Buttigieg Attard

I asked what ECO-Gozo meant to the LP for the simple reason that Eco-Gozo is the NP's idea of preserving Gozo as primarily an ecological site. Never, before very recently, the LP had displayed any inclination of adopting green policies. But on the closure of Mt. Maghtab and other eco-initiatives by this government, it jumped on the bandwagon, as usual. Maghtab was scheduled for expansion, not closure under Sant's government in 1996-98. The MLP was against the modernization of Sant'Antnin - ask Joseph about that one! And how much hullabaloo was raised when the Marsa modern incinerator was built?

Your anti-everything attitude, simply because they are not LP initiatives and were not accomplished when they had a chance, is evident even from another planet let alone from being far away from your 'misery' so bravely borne by stalwarts like yourself while you and your like, quietly benefit from the progress registered in the last 20 years or so.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 19/8/09)
@ Martinelli …. Rather then asking if LP know what ECO GOZO means why don’t you
address that question to the present Administration of your beloved GONZI PN , in general, and our dear Minister of Gozo, Giovanna, in particular.

I told you a hundred times that you are too far away to have the slightest idea of what is going on. You can never comprehend the ‘shameful eco situation’ we are living in Gozo.
Do you know that drainage still flow in the sea , which is very very near a particular beach that many of us frequent??!!

Please do not rub salt on the injuries we have been suffering so long in Gozo! It is inhuman and unasked for! It is not a question of being blu or red but we all Gozitans
are experiencing a most difficult situation. Thank God there is Gozo Channel and thus some of us can cross daily to gain our livelihood.

Even under these precarious and most difficult situation most of us Gozitans much prefer to live here then to emigrate to Australia, Canada or USA! We are more proud of our Wonderful Gozo then you can ever imagine!

So please ...
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 18/8/09)
@ Jo Said.
Striklandjani, Boffisti, Mintoffjani, Bolxevisti, Komunisti, Interdetjati, Hamilli, Professuri tal boiler-suits, il barbier ta Sqallija and now Joey, were all terms used by the PN to ridicule or belittle the LEJBURISTI.
Jo Said (on 18/8/09)
Gonzipn got its name during the run-up to the election of the PN leader way back in 2004 and it was then that the man’s supporters undertook to isolate all the others - those who lobbied and voted for adversaries. That is when the party got hijacked (I do not want to be misunderstood, however. It was not hijacked by the leader. The faction that worked so hard to elect the front man hijacked it). They used to quip ‘’like we refer to Labourites as Mintoffians, so now we are Gonzites!’’ Come the general election in March 2008, the mentors at Pieta’, who by then had cemented their grip on the party, went one further. They adopted to use Gonzipn as the party’s name. Nobody else ever referred to the PN as Gonzipn, but them – and the party media went into overdrive to publicise this unprecedented blunder. Moreover, the scheming, which had already grown to uncontrollable proportions by then, became the lead word for gonziPN.

And now, the kannol bla krema has the cheek to blame others for it! But, it is now clear that il-Kannol Vojt is distancing himself from gonziPN. Thank goodness for that.
J Martinelli (on 17/8/09)
The more the LP and its supporters write against Dr. Gonzi, the more it becomes evident that their envy of a good leader is such that it obscures their mental faculty. The LP expects to be able to come up with inane comments and unworkable propositions and not be criticized. I find no trace of the LP being described as Josephpl or Muscatpl by the Nationalist media, simply because there is no reason to attack the person especially since he periodically manufactures his own banalities and even more so since his strings are being pulled by someone behind the curtain. He is in such total control that he has two deputy leaders none of whom is considered a political force to be reckoned with and a recycled General Secretary who was given the dubious honour of being one major reason why the LP lost last election! @ Joseph Buttigieg Attard Statistics will show that Gozo was in much worse situation before industries and hotels were built and when the Socialist government deemed that a Minister for Gozo was an unnecessary luxury. Eco Gozo? Does the LP know what Eco stands for? Certainly not Mt.Maghtab or Sant'Antnin or Marsa incinerator!
Jo Said (on 17/8/09)
Never have I seen such hatred and odium dominating the same party as that which presently reigns between different factions of gonzipn. It is simply unbelievable how deeply split and shattered this, once valid, political tool has become since the last change in its leadership. No wonder so many are leaving its fold. It is only a matter of time before oblivion shrouds this hijacked party. And, given that the possibility of a third party garnering a seat in parliament is so remote, New Labour has now become the only sanctuary for all who seek refuge from deception and trickery of thsoe at Pieta’.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 17/8/09)
@ Martinelli …. Though you still haven’t responded to my question I humbly ask you to come here and share with us the atrocious mismanagement of the present administration! A six week vacation is not enough to understand what is going on.You must live it day after day and year after year to comprehend all! Your feeble attempts to justify the ‘present wrongs’ are getting more ludicrous day after day. No ‘past’ can ever justify the present situation we all of us has to bear up with. By the way the Wonderful Gozo I come from is facing the worst unemployment situation in our history. “Eco Gozo” is ‘going down the dirty drains’! Capish my friend?
J Martinelli (on 16/8/09)
Came out of the woodwork again, Jo?

Summer is no time to hibernate in that little hole of yours!

@ D Ellul

Gonzi won "against an opposition in pieces"? What makes you so sure that the LP is whole? The wrapping may be fancy but it only disguises what's inside and I can tell you, it ain't pretty! The glue which keeps the old and new factions together has a tendency of drying out and the pieces will fall apart. Give the glue another three or four years and you will know what I mean. In the meantime, gloat about June 6, if that's what makes you and the LP supporters happy.
D Ellul (on 15/8/09)
June 6 was your first taste of what a united labour party can do. I can't wait for the general election. It will be the beginning of a long spell in opposition for the PN, perhaps after 10 years we can start considering them again, and hopefully with a new leader. Gonzi may have won singlehandedly the 08 election but against an opposition in pieces it was easy. Try now dr gonzi.
GiovDeMartino@Deo Catania (on 14/8/09)
U zgur li qazzizniekom. Perswaz minn dan!
Jo Said (on 14/8/09)
Cheers, Charles - that's more like it. Wow, 60% against el-gonz.
J Martinelli (on 14/8/09)
Do as you wish Charles. I bet you did not expect a reasonable answer from me which you could not possibly attack. So, you flee and accuse me of not answering in an oversimplistic yes or no. Tough.I will never caught in your net of half truths and deceits. If you cannot accept a truthful answer from me, then it becomes your problem. Radio silence or whatever you call it, is ample proof that you have been check-mated, friend! I hope you have enough Lager to go around.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 14/8/09)
@ J Martinelli

I was too naive to expect you to answer a direct question directly and to cut the crap. Enjoy yourself; I shall now revert to radio silence as far as your comments are concerned. Much more fun out and about and sipping Lager and lime by the pool in company of nice people.
J Martinelli (on 14/8/09)
Deo Catania, speaking for myself only, I do not defend the NP (not Gonzipn) because only the NP has a vision for the future which the LP never had. Starting 50 years ago, it was not sure whether to morph us into Britain or cut loose, whether to keep a Defence Treaty or forfeit stability and revenue, and opted to instead ask for charity from N Korea, China and Libya, then recently, preached against EU membership and the adoption of the euro and five years later, reluctantly accepted them as good ideas! Need I continue?

Which world are you living in that you have not noticed the progress, the wealth, the new industries and the high level of employment not previously enjoyed under Socialist regimes?

You and other LP apologists refer to the government as Gonzipn just to make it appear as if the NP is Dr. Gonzi. I have news for you. When a Nationalist leader steps down, the NP always has a crop of worthy successors, unlike the LP.
J Martinelli (on 14/8/09)
Charles, with your questions there are never 'yes' or 'no' answers, so let me address your latest this way.

If the government (any government) declares a government owned property surplus and puts it on the market in a usual manner, then any offer deemed fair and at market value by any individual or organization, can be accepted. So, if the MLP were interested and offered the best price for the berga, the subject could not be disputed or even discussed.

On the other hand, why can you not cut the bull and tell us why KMB advised against the purchase of the berga by the MLP? Knowing KMB, he must have had some hidden motives?
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 14/8/09)
@ J Martinelli



“..................KMB advised against the MLP buying it. I am sure you are right. By the same token, KMB who is known to have messed up much larger situations costing millions in losses to the public, had his conscience moved in case the berga purchase could be perceived as an inappropriate act! Rich, too darned rich Joseph!! A better explanation would have been that KMB had bigger fish to fry? Did the village do without a berga after the NP bought it? “

OK Joe we agree with you 100%,no argument.....Now cut the bull answer one single question unequivocally,a yes or no would suffice. Would you have found any justification if the Berga was closed down and the premises sold to the Labour Party by a Labour Government?
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 13/8/09)
“Goose and gander aren't treated the same , isn't it? “
Mind your English Joe.- Geese and ganders aren't treated the same are they? But we do treat them the same because we garnish them with the same sauce.

Different sauces are used by Gonzi on his chickens.
Deo Catania (on 13/8/09)
@Martinelli/DeMartino Min jaf ghala tiddefenduh daqstant lil Gonzipn hux? zgur li mhux minhabba l-gid li jaghmel ghal pajjijzna ghax daqk ftit li xejn hemm minnu. Li tghidu intom ma jiswa xejn, il-poplu xeba taht Gonzi. Fir-realta wara 2 skandli kbar tal-VAT u l-Bahrija Gonzipn missu ilu li irrezenja mill-poter imma le ma tarax.......inkella ma npappuhiex hux. Ir-risposta kienet cara u tonda fis-6 ta' Gunju, inutli tparlaw fil-vojt. Forsi ghadkom ma ndunajtux pero qazziztuna, paroli fil-vojt taghkom jonqosna wkoll!!!!!
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 13/8/09)

The real sad part of the Berga turned PN club story at Zebbug is that the club is always closed
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 13/8/09)
Re Leased Government property.

MLP 18, NP 3. Leased clubs. The PN fell a bit behind but they are trying to make up for it. If you are a PN supporter or better still a PN MEP you can lease from the government a nice office ‘down the guts’ from Gonzipn for cheap. You don’t believe me? Ask Simon Busuttil. Biex tiskongra trid tkun pur

Might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. If you're going to get into the same amount of soup...... what's good for the goose is good for Gonzipn.
J Martinelli (on 13/8/09)
@ Joseph Buttigieg Attard

Let me get this stright. The Zebbug Berga was obviously available for sale. KMB advised against the MLP buying it. I am sure you are right. By the same token, KMB who is known to have messed up much larger situations costing millions in losses to the public, had his conscience moved in case the berga purchase could be perceived as an inappropriate act! Rich, too darned rich Joseph!! A better explanation would have been that KMB had bigger fish to fry? Did the village do without a berga after the NP bought it?

You constantly borrow words from Joseph's mouth and regarding the 'political responsibility' for the VAT 'scandal' I have this to say.
1. It would have been a 'scandal' had the government not taken immediate action for the criminal acts committed by VAT dept. employees and those outside the department who participated in the scheme.
2. Why would politicians be held responsible for the criminal acts of individuals not aided and abetted by the politicians themselves? Need I go back in time when government thugs wreaked havoc and to my knowledge no politician was ever held responsible?

You have to be better, Joseph.
GiovDeMartino (on 13/8/09)
Not exactly. But 1987 brought democracy, freedom and very great prosperity.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 13/8/09)
@ GiovdeMartino ... May I ask how you came to these figures " electoral victories which reads MLP 1 PN 6."

I understand that both the PN and MLP ( PL) came into being long time ago and both enjoyed more then you are claiming! Or maybe you are claiming that 'the world' came into being after 1987?

Ara fiex wasalna! Hallina habib.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 13/8/09)
@ Martinelli ... I been telling you over and over again that you are too far away to know or comprehend the present situation in Malta.

Re the "berga' at Zebbug Gozo: In fact in 1986 the Local MLP Committee of Zebbug, Gozo, made enquiries in buying this same "Berga' and turn it into a MLP Club there. The PM then, KMB persuaded the Local Committee that the use of a "Berga' at that village is much more important then having a MLP Club.

Surprise surprise.. with the change of Government .. the BERGA was bought by the PN Committee at Zebbug, few months later and turned into a PN Club!!! Of course the ways and means are most interesting.

Goose and gander aren't treated the same , isn't it?

Back to the present scenario with the 'infamous' VAT scandal! Who is taking political responsability for what happened? Are the PL are to blame too??!!
GiovDeMartino@ Simon Micallef Stafrace (on 13/8/09)
MLP 18, NP 3. Leased clubs not electoral victories which reads MLP 1 PN 6.
J Martinelli (on 13/8/09)
Please explain "BUY".

If you think for one minute that I condone any misdeeds, whether carried out by the MLP or NP, you are grossly mistaken. How about then, the MLP and NP declare a truce and return improperly 'requisitioned' properties to the rightful owners?

The funny thing is that all this came up when it mattered to the MLP. Funny how the MLP never mentioned the alleged improprieties by the NP, before now! Funny how the Simon Busuttil office rental became an issue, without proper research and splashed in a Labour paper.

The MLP, not raising any alarm over 'alleged' irregularities by the NP was either a case of 'let sleeping dogs lie' unless the MLP gets a hurt, or, a case of aiding and abetting in 'crime' or at worst, obstruction of justice!

The news about the Zebbug 'berga' was reported in a Maltese paper and you quote it as being the gospel truth. So far I treat it like any other allegation and innuendo by the MLP for which it has been famous for in decades. It would be interesting to find out how many libel cases the MLP lost for misquoting, doctoring videos and false accusations.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 12/8/09)
@ Martinelli ... My response I sent this morning was for one reason or another never published. I mentioned a most important and interesting story of how the PN managed to "BUY" a "Berga" and turn it into a PN Club at Zebbug Gozo.In fact this very story was mentioned on a local Maltese daily this very week.
simon micallef stafrace (on 12/8/09)
Another topic to add could be the Pieta, Gzira and Paola Nationalist Party Clubs.
J Martinelli (on 11/8/09)
@ JosephButtigiegAttard (Submitted 2nd time)


Don't you even know that any construction of any plant which creates emissions of any kind has to meet EU standards - or else?!

Who are you trying to fool? I know why. It is simply to cover up what past Labour governments did to the Marsa Power Station. For starters, during Mintoff's reign, the Marsa station was converted from oil to cheap, sulphur laden coal, (from Communist Poland, then) it's water distillers were improperly maintained, broke down and the parts source nixed Mintoff due to his excellent [sic] relations with the USA. Of course, N. Korea at the time was useless providing parts for a Western produced power plant. It only excelled in arms and psychological warfare.


Why don't you give us a lecture about those who are leaving your party and seeking refuge at the NP's headquarters in Pieta? It will probably be a great read. Siggiewi Labour Club could be another topic.
Jo Said (on 10/8/09)
The new PL leader slowly but surely climbed the steep hill to recognition and respect. He ventured into the battle with the opposing political party spearheading an effective and persuading campaign, and he was rewarded in a most pronounced fashion. His esteem burgeoned overnight and now he stands at the helm of a party, which, seriously and steadily, has been purifying itself. Nonetheless, he knows that there is still some decay to take care of. Parasites have a habit of hiding within the organism. Nevertheless, he is on the right track. The sheer majority he garnered confirms this. I agree with his taking stock of the situation when he declared that this is only the beginning. The building blocks can now start being placed on the foundations he managed to cast.

No matter how much the PN media machine and its lackeys try to belittle and even demonise the man, the citizen knows that theirs is blah. Unless the blues change tack and replace their present leaders, and silence their warped and obnoxious apologists, the PN would soon have to live in Opposition Territory for decades.

Nikita, the vast majority of the population knows that you are right.
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 10/8/09)
@Martinelli …. I do not mind you defending the Party you blindly adore. However, I do mind that your persistence in delivering a picture that is far way from the truth.

With all due respect you have no idea what is going on here and the disastrous situation the present Administration is in. You might try by reading on-line from various sources but still, you will never have an idea that is near to the truth of events.

Here is a practical example of the mess the present GonziPN’s administration is in!
About a year ago, an EneMalta’s report “identifies the use of combined cycle gas
turbines..CCGT …. As being the only generating plant to comply with the present
expected emissions limits in 2020”! Now it seems that EneMalta (whoever runs it)
has changed its positions in preferring the BWSC’s tender of building a new power station run on diesel and heavy fuel oil, as proposed by a certain Joseph Mizzi.

Logic tells us all that such a power station will last just 9 years. Of course, we tax payers are paying for this!

I wonder if you have any comment about this gross mismanagement of GonziPN's Administration at taxpayers’expence!
J Martinelli (on 9/8/09)
F Chircop, I beg you read Nikita's blog one more time before you hastily attribute to me comments which she made at the start of her own blog. I simply used her own words! How's that insulting the author?

Besides, where is everybody's sense of humour? Can one not realize that when someone jabs at a blogger, more often than not, he/she uses tongue-in-cheek comments? Like I said before (if you really follow everything I write) you will realize that I will not stand idle at misinformation and spinning of FACTS irrespective of who the author is.

When and if I am out of line, I beg you and others present valid reasons for thinking that way and I shall be the first one to admit my mistake.

I think that it is Nikita who should apologize for calling me 'a little man' since that is a direct insult, however I am not holding my breath and I don't mind it one bit. It only demonstrates that my comments must have hit a soft spot, that's all!

Which part do you not understand that I made it clear that the criticism was directed at the essay, not the person?
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 9/8/09)
@ F Chircop

We all know that young Nikita is bursting with enthusiasm to give a meaningful contribution to a cause which really, truly and whole heartedly she believes in and she does a good job at that. Even if one doesn’t share her political inclinations decency dictates that one has to respect her views and debates them, which is what decent people do or at least give her a sporting chance. Mr.Martinelli’s agenda is not to debate a statement, his mission is to ridicule and attack the persona of his political opponents and then try to portray himself as the most professional and righteous contributor of our times. We all know, except him, that he’s failing his precious Gonzipn miserably and that is why I normally ignore the likes of him.

Somebody had to say this.
F Chircop (on 9/8/09)
@J Martinelli

You don't seem to realise that you attacked the person rather than the argument at least two times in this comments section (if not more). You said that the article is a third grade essay that makes you laugh. You also said that Nikita's views are not worth more than tuppence. In your last comment you went as far as saying that the blogger is not intelligent despite claiming that you don't know the person. Mr. Martinelli, you don't have to be arrogant and patronising to show that you have the best arguments, as you're putting your basic manners in doubt.
J Martinelli (on 9/8/09)
Charles, stop being a nag. Where did I insult Nikita? Was she not the first to describe me as 'a little man'?.

As much as I do not know Nikita, she does not know me and I would like to keep it that way.

It is her messages which I sometimes bother to comment on and since you describe her as being "one very smart and intelligent young lady " I wonder why she presents comments and arguments which sometimes put her qualifications in doubt.

True the MLP has been built on a lot of solid 'stones' such as the likes of Mr. Dom Mintoff and his immediate successor whose iron fists smashed democracy in Malta.

Unlike Nikita, I am not affiliated with ANY political party and not urged by anyone to write for or against a political party in Malta or elsewhere, but I cannot stay idle in the face of mud slinging, misinformation and feeble attempts at rewriting history. I was never employed by a government agency, the civil service and neither have I ever received any favours from the NP much less from the MLP!

Sorry, Mr. Buttigieg, you come up short again.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 9/8/09)
@ Nikita Alamango

In my book you are down as one very smart and intelligent young lady and one of the solid stones which the PL continues to build itself upon. Your positive outlook on the future irritates the pedants and the likes of the Canadian fellow react by hurling insults.
A lot of people, myself included, enjoy a good debate on the blog webs and we use it to fill some of our leisurely time, we live to blog in a way, however pedantic fools blog to live and enjoy receiving the resentment of others. Believe me even the decent PN supporters resent this type of PN apologists. We need to ignore them and react only to decent and well intended criticism.
J Martinelli (on 9/8/09)
@ Nikita Part 1

A party is elected to govern by obtaining a majority of votes. It does not matter whether on top of the core supporters the floater vote comes from one source or another. The floating voters vary from election to election. There are no set patterns. Using your same argument then, one can say that last election won by the PN, happened because 1500 Lejburisti decided to vote PN ! Preposterous isn't it?

When you write a piece like this one, you should be the last one to admit that you got information upon which you base your arguments, from an opposing party's media! Yes, the PN said that the AD and absenting Natiionalists caused loss of votes. What did you expect the PN media to say? Do you take as gospel every detail which comes out of Radio One or One TV ? If you are that sort you are indeed naive because quoting facts is one thing but to regard conjectures as the bible, is another.

The myth you should have written about is that Joseph and the LP truly believe in the EU.

Continued
J Martinelli (on 9/8/09)
Part 2

I find it odd that you went out of your usual custom in order to comment on your own blog in response to comments by 'a small man'. I am under the impression that blogs are written for a free discussion and comments preferably by people in the know. You should not be so upset if someone else's opinion varies from the propaganda piece you disseminate. In science, the premise is that 'for every action there is an equal and opposing reaction'. That's a fact and not a myth. If you cannot stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen, some say. Have I struck a nerve somewhere?

When I consider someone as 'a little person' I usually ignore and never react to his or her comments since lowering myself to their level, I find beneath me. So please don't bother responding in case you belittle yourself too.
Nikita Alamango (on 9/8/09)
@J Martinelli

I do not usually comment on my own blog. If you think that my piece is hogwash don't read my blog and your third rate attempt at belittling me shows what a little man you are.

Second if you had been around straight after the election you'd have heard your own party's media claim straight and plain that 'il voti tal-AD haduhom tal-Labour'. I wouldn't be so haughty as to claim that the PL 'took' the votes as the voter is wholely free to choose whoever candidate he likes, unless of course you have parties that think that votes are theirs by default. Judging by the way that the PN usually like to think that AD steal their votes, the nationalists fully fit this description.

Thirdly you are misquoting me when you seem to imply that I had said that Labour did not campaign against Eu membership. Well, of course Labour campaigned against, no one denies it. The myth i referred to was that the PN try to bring that it up as an excuse to vote Nationalist and on 2 consecutive European elections they failed. I suggest you read more carefully.
J Martinelli (on 8/8/09)
All those who cannot refute one word I say, hide behind the last line of their soft defence by reminding the readers that I live in Canada! Some argument!

Just tell me where I twisted facts and I shall perhaps rewrite history just to please the Lejburisti who find themselves 22 years behind the times and hoping that three years from now they will inherit heaven! Even if that unlikely event happens, they would not know what to do with the power buttons under their thumbs as much as they did not know what to do in 1996 and lost everything 22 months later, not by a crafty move by the Opposition, but by one of their own - the Salvatur (Happy Birthday Dom!) or the 'traditur?' But I forget, they did something - they froze Malta's application to join the EU and threw us back at least four years. That's what Sant & Co accomplished in their miserable 22 month tenure.

And, Buttigieg, if I were you, I would not mention deficits because the largest deficit in one year happened while your ex was piloting SS Malta and what did we get? An embellishment of the Bugibba promenade!
GiovDeMartino (on 8/8/09)
IN CASE YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN: August 12th 1976: Onknown people damage Dr. Carm Caruana's (MP, PN) car parked in front of his house five doors away from the Tarxien Pol St....Tar is again splashed on PN club Poala.
Labour supprters besiege Nat. Part speakers in Marsa....Mintoffian supporters attack a landrover and over turn it. One supporter shoots at a police car...some supporters try to break into the PN Hamrun club.

13th: Day of climax of violence. Labour supporters heavily attack National Press and six nat. party clubs: Vallettas, Floriana, Hamrun, St. Venera, Msisa, Gzira.. After the demonstration lab supporters arrive in a private bus. Attack on the Press {Nat. P Hqrs} starts at 8.15 pm Axes are used rto smash the door. Nartionalis Women Club Hamrun invaded, looted and all furniture destroyed. The same thing happened at St. Venera. Club destroyed Car belonging to Dr. Antoine Mifsud Bonnici smashed..

17th Unsucessful attempt to set PN club main door on fire.

15th 1942. Arrival of Santa Maria Convoy - Liberation of Malta.

8th May 1987.....Ghall-erwieh....hlisna mit-tiranni.
F Chircop (on 8/8/09)
Ah, so Martinelli lives in Canada? No wonder he doesn't have a clue on what living under a conservative regime for over 20 years feels like. Luckily, the Nationalist Party has only 3 years left in government. Mr Martinelli, I will join you in Canada if the PN wins again!
Jo Said (on 8/8/09)
Charles, 60% of the population rejecting a government is no joke. In my whole life, this has never been the case, let alone in Nikita's - of course she puzzles at the present regime's attitude. Having said that, I admit that I am criticising my own party. Let me re-phrase that, if I may. I have been an ardent Nationalist Party supporter for all my adult life, except for the last few years when it became so obvious that my colleagues grew greedy, incompetent and arrogant. I had forewarned them that they would have to face the resentment of the population one day. And sure they did (and still do). With only 40% of popular support, they should flee and hide in embarrassment.
60%, repeat sixty per cent, against, is a monstrous defeat for GonziPn - the worst since the forties. Wow, 60% - what a whopping slap in the face. Indeed, theirs should be as red as beetroots. But, alas, they are so good at make up.
Thank God that the 1500 (and many more) voters have now realised their huge mistake.




GiovDeMartino@CJ Buttigieg (on 8/8/09)
Tparla kemm tparla Sur Buttigieg ma thassarx KELMA WAHDA milli nghid jien fuq il-passat moqziez mu oxxen tal-MLP. Min qed imexxi verament lill-SS Malta? Ikolli nghid li GONZIPN jien, bl-40 fil-mija tal-voti warajh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! U min ghandu 60 fil-mija.....HA, Ha, Ha...
Joseph Buttigieg Attard (on 8/8/09)
@ Martinelli ... May I ask why you prefer to live in Canada when according to you, we, that are living in Malta, are enjoying 'heaven on earth'?

Even an annual 6wks vacation in Malta, won't be enough to understand the present disastrous and precarious situation we live in.

Capish habib? ( Sibt xi tfisser 'KARFA" ?)
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 8/8/09)
Dear Nikita, your top grade essay is so full of facts, statements of truth, it makes me applaud you. The only part I seem to disagree with is your opening statement, “I will give my tuppence worth..." Certainly worth much much more than that. Definitely no comparison to the imported trash that lowers The Times’ otherwise good product.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 8/8/09)
Our deficit during the first six months of 2009 stands at €337 million, meaning €80 million more than 2008 and twice as much as the first six months of 2007.
These statistics are confirming the precarious situation of the government’s finances.
In the past, the Nationalist government played around with figures to portray an “unrealistic” picture of the country. The €200 million issued in stocks went to finance the deficit, borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 8/8/09)
U mela mela,sewwa qaluli in Nazzjonalisti Mostin. Mel isimghu din-

Gonzi’s MEPA had approved the construction of a villa on a land owned by former PN president Victor Scerri in Bahrija, only to declare it null, following a damning audit report.

A number of files, including PA 6321/02, related with the outline permit, together with the blue prints of the original structure, "went missing" from MEPA’s offices.

The Police Force is refusing to answer questions on whether an investigation will be carried out in regards to the missing documents.

The audit report confirmed the documents’ importance, as it showed that they might shed light on who should be held responsible for the case.

If the file remains missing, one cannot be certain what the motivation was behind the DCC’s approval of the development.

Gonzi is leaving it up to MEPA’s board, as well as to its chairman, to decide if they should take up responsibility for approving the permit, while Victor Scerri has made it very clear that he would not be responsible for MEPA’s mistake.

Now-that-Gonzi lost control can someone tell us who is actually captaining SS Malta?
J Martinelli (on 7/8/09)
Part 1

Dear Nikita, your third grade essay is so full of suppositions, misstatements and conjectures, it makes me laugh. The only part I seem to agree with is your opening statement, " I will give by (my?) tuppence worth..." Certainly not worth much more than that.

After the opening sentence, things started going downhill fast starting with your statistical powers claiming that AD lost "... AD had a spectacular debacle losing, surprise surprise, 7% of its percentage in 2004. 7% of the 11% all other parties received in 2004 does not add up to the 7% increase in Labour votes - read your para 2 again (7% of its percentage in 2004). You also assume that AD lost votes all went to Labour - how do you know? One can argue that all those who stayed home were Nationalist voters who, nonetheless will vote PN next election. An equally valid if not reckless assumption, would you not agree?

There is nothing mythical about the PL campaigning against joining the EU - it is a fact.

Continued
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 7/8/09)
The local council of Qala is objecting to the development permit of the construction of a large apartment block in an outside development zone .

Contrary to Gonzi’s “zero tolerance” pledge on ODZ, the planning authority approved the construction of apartments at the edge of a high ridge, next to a popular belvedere visited by many tourists.

Mayor Paul Buttigieg publicly declared that they had objected to the permit on two accounts. The belvedere is one of the best views of Qala and Gozo. It attracts many tourists, as well as their concerns that such development would hinder the view.

A few months ago this application was refused by the same DCC board. However, following minor changes in the application, the same DCC board approved the permit. Yet, such proposal goes against MEPA’s regulations.

Paul Buttigieg cannot understand how MEPA voted against the project to change its mind afterwards. As a representative of the local council, Mr.Buttigieg was not permitted to talk, because, they told them that the local council is not a registered objector.
GiovDeMartino@CJ Buttigieg (on 7/8/09)
X'ma Jiddisprawx il-lejburisti!!! Ghandhom 60 fil-mija tal-poplu warajhom u qeghdin.............aqtghu fejn? FL-OPPOZIZZJONI fejn ilhom qabel ieldet Nikita. It-team tal-football Taljan nizel fil-hames post...imma s'issa xorta huma Champions tad-Dinja. Infxiltu fixla izjed mit-torri ta' Babel. Is-siggijiet tal-gvern INSEJTU KIF IKUNU. U ghnadkom 60 fil-mija warajkom. Xi hmir huma Laurel and Hardy.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 7/8/09)

@ F Chircop

You slipped a bit comrade as the true picture shows 60% anti PN. 55% from PL,5% from other parties. X’ma jiddisprawx ta GONZIPN!
J Martinelli (on 7/8/09)
Part2

So by writing, "Another myth that has been broken is that one shouldn't vote for the PL because it campaigned against EU membership in 2003" you simply confirm that voting patterns for Local Councils and MEPs are substantially different than those for General Elections.

"...everyone got to see how both our political parties can work together towards one common goal; obtaining the best for Malta". The 'togetherness' you wrote about was indeed exemplary especially when the three Labour MEP's voted three ways on a same issue!

"...the PM tried to seem in relaxed and in control as he spoke to the press. I don't think anyone was fooled". Goes to prove that you do not know much about the man!

"...but unless there is substance in their arguments I don't think the people will buy it again". If I were a betting man I would take you up on that. Let's face it, the odds are strongly in favour of the NP since they took six out of seven electoral decisions since 1981. Yes, Malta, like the rest of the world is going through some unpleasant adjustments but the element of TRUST still remains the property of the NP.





F Chircop (on 7/8/09)
@Martin Spiteri
Once bitten twice shy. You hit the nail on the head. That is exactly how the people reasoned on June 6. They were bitten once, twice, and three times by the PN. These people now feel comfortable to vote for the Labour Party for the first time after 1996. After 25 years in government you expect to win another election? I just hope that common sense will prevail.

@GiovDeMartino
According to the latest poll, i.e. the EP election poll, 55% of the electorate did not vote for GonziPN. If this result was a joke for you, as it was for Gonzi (apparently he didn't take it seriously as he still sported that silly smile after the results were out and claimed that he is still in office and in power), then you should refresh your knowledge on how democracy works. 55% is not the 49% or the +1500 votes Gonzi managed to get in 2008.
GiovDeMartino@ CJ Buttrigieg (on 7/8/09)
Qed thawwad tahwid tal-genn Sur Buttigieg. Veru ma tafx x'qed tikteb. L-ewwel ghedtilna li l-lejber seraq 18-post u irregalhom lill-partit u issa qed thallat il-hass mal-qargha ahmar. Fl-ahhar elezzjoni kien IL-PN LI GAB L-IZJED VOTI u allura jekk 60% kontra tieghu, 70% kontra l-labour. U ilhom kontra mill-1981...RECORD ASSOLUT. Tibqax tiddefendih il-labour ghax qed taghmillu hafna hsara.
Henry Mifsud (on 7/8/09)
@Nikita. Instead of trying to find fault in what you wrote, I heartily would like to congratulate you on your blog. We need to nurture young, aspiring people (and politicians) to enable them air their views as early as they can. This will ensure a brighter future for all, included those who seem to think that they have reached the pinnacle of success and maturity
Marianne Zarb (on 7/8/09)
@Martin Spiteri--Once bitten twice shy----thats exactly why many people do not support Gonzi anymore!!! Muscat is still a new and untried politician. Obviously you have every right not to want a change and you have every right to keep living with a government that lies and turns out to be totally incompetent and unable to govern but thousands of others want a change, they want this country to be governed by a group of people who learn from their own mistakes and are close to the people's needs!! Thousands are very, very sorry for voting PN in March 2008 and they wont be repeating that mistake again!!
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 7/8/09)
@Martin Spiteri

My dear since you seem to have a book of English expressions next to you , I will quote one for you , once bitten twice shy. Never again..... let’s have a dictatorial system, sod the 60% that don’t support Gonzipn.
A Farrugia (on 6/8/09)
@Martin Spiteri - but according to your dear Joseph Muscat we should be in very serious financial situation , but thanks to the Euro this did not happen. I wonder whom I should listen to? Dear Marin - are you living in Malta? From what i have seen of Dr. Muscat so far i beleive he deserves a chance to be Malta's next primie minister. He subtly changed the mentality of the oppostion. In a year he has transformed the PL into a constructive opposition. Dr, Muscat has managed to convnce me taht i can once again look at voting PL after 3 elections voting PN. And i feel comfortable about it!
Martin Spiteri (on 6/8/09)
@Nikita Alamango My dear since you seem to have a book of english expressions next to you , I will quote he one for you , once bitten twice shy. Never again. Since you seem to be so keen to pave the way for our dear Joseph Muscat I am still going for experience, The Government has its ups and downs, but according to your dear Joseph Muscat we should be in very serious financial situation , but thanks to the Euro this did not happen. I wonder whom I should listen to? Serrah Rasek is sens komun dejjem rebah ghax jien minix ser nafda partit li hlief rekord ta dizordni m ghandux. Thank you Nikita.
GiovDeMartino (on 6/8/09)
I prefer to be in the PRIME MINISTER boots rather than in the boots of the LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. I do not know you Miss Alamango, but am I right if I say that you do not know any other government except the Natiolnalist govt? It's about time now, after so many years, to have a labour govt. But be careful: do not count your chickens now! You know what happened az few months ago when you took to the streets to celebrate a labour victory.
GiovDeMartino (on 6/8/09)
Sur Buttigieg fakkartni fil-film Witness for the Prosecution! Ma ndunajtx li meta int tajtna l-lista ta' kazini li l-MLP seraq lic-cittadin biex irregalhom lill-partit int kont qed tikkonferma dak li dejjem nghid jien li l-passat tal-labour ma jistax ikun oxxen izjed milli kien? Skont INT kien hemm 18-il proprjeta li l-gvern laburista ha lic-cittadin u tahom lill-partit laburista. Veru li l-giddieb ghomru qasir.
Charles J. Buttigieg (on 6/8/09)

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